Cover for golf club head



April 16, 1957 J. E. NOONAN COVER FOR GOLF CLUB HEAD Filed Feb. 15, 1955 11572 for:

United States Patent COVER FOR GOLF CLUB HEAD James E. Noonan, Peoria, 111.

Application February 15, 1955, Serial No. 488,298

2 Claims. (Cl. 150-52) This invention relates to improvements in covers for the heads of golf clubs, particularly golf clubs which are referred to as the woods, the covers being characterized in that they can be conveniently applied to or removed from the golf club heads, but are so constructed as to resist inadvertent dislodgment from the club heads.

Covers for golf club heads have heretofore been proposed, but in most instances where the cover is made sufficiently large to permit easy application and removal of the cover from the club head, the cover is so loose upon the head that it can readily be inadvertently removed and lost. Covers have been proposed which fit the club head more or less tightly and, hence, resist inadvertent removal. However, this latter type cover is both diflicult to apply to the club head and is also difficult to remove intentionally.

In the present invention a cover for a golf club head is contemplated which fits the club head sufliciently loosely to make intentional removal and application a simple task, but which, by virtue of its shape, conforming generally with the offset relationship of the head with the shaft, resists inadvertent removal.

In addition, although the cover loosely fits the club head, it is so constructed that it lends a pleasing appearance to the clubs and is susceptible to being formed in attractive colorful combinations.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my improved club head cover as applied to a golf club head.

Fig. 2 is a development of one of the faces of the cover, the cover having two faces both being of equal area and similar shape.

Fig. 3 is a development of the gusset employed in the cover.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 1 indicates generally my improved cover for the head of a golf club. The cover is preferably constructed of flexible leather, but may, if desired, be constructed of flexible plastic sheet material, treated fabric or the like.

The cover 1 is constructed of three components, a front face 2, a rear face 3 and a gusset 4. The front face 2 and rear face 3 are similar in size and shape, both being similar to the development 5, shown in Fig. 2. In constructing the cover 1, the faces 2 and 3 are disposed in substantially face-to-face relationship with the gusset 4 disposed between the two faces adjacent the upper portion of the cover. With the gusset disposed with the transverse centerline in alignment with the longitudinal centerlines of the faces 2 and 3 and at the upper end portion of the faces, the edges of the respective faces are secured to the respective edges of the gusset preferably by sewing. When the gusset 4 is in this position the wings 5 and 6 of the gusset lie on opposite sides of the cover.

It will be noted that the gusset 4, although symmetrical about a vertical axis, as viewed in Fig. 3, is not sym- 2,788,826 Patented Apr. 16, 1957 metrical about a horizontal axis. The gusset is essentially bow-shaped resembling somewhat the conventional cupids bow. By virtue of this characteristic shape of the gusset, the faces 2 and 3, when sewn to the gusset, are distorted and occupy roughly parallel curved surfaces. The distortion thus caused compels the upper portion of the cover to take a shape which approximately conforms with the offset relationship of a wooden club head with respect to its shaft.

It will be observed that the width of the faces 2 and}, except at their upper end portions, is substantially uniform and provides an ample cavity for slipping the cover over the club head. If the gusset were not formed as described, that is, if a symmetrical gusset were employed, the cover 1 would be substantially undistorted and although it could be readily slipped on the club head, it could as readily be inadvertently slipped off and lost. However, by virtue of the offset distortion of the cover produced by the gusset 4 although the cover can be slipped on and off the club very readily, it must be guided during its movements so that its path will conform, more or less, to the offset club head. Thus, although little or no more effort is necessary to slip the cover on and off the club head than with a straight cover, the cover will resist inadvertent removal since an intelligent, directed effort must be made to remove the cover.

In Fig. l the cover 1 is shown as being positioned over a conventional wooden golf club head 7 having a shaft 8. It will be seen that the cover conforms, more or less, to the offset relationship of the head 7 with respect to the shaft. It is to be understood, however, in viewing Fig. 1, that curvature of the cover, the cover being flexible, is not solely influenced by the club head, since, without embracing the club head 7, the cover would present substantially the same curved appearance which, as hereinbefore described, is due to the constraining influence of the gusset 4.

In constructing the golf club cover comprising the present invention attractive color combinations may be used by varying the colors of the panels and the gusset. For instance, the rear and front face panels may be of a predetermined color whereas the gusset may be of an attractively contrasting color. In addition, to provide a finished, neat appearance to the cover the sewn edges may be bound or piped with a binding or cord, preferably constructed of plastic material, which, if desired, may be colored to match or contrast attractively with the colors of the panels and gusset.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cover for the head of a golf club which comprises a mitten-like member constructed of flexible material, said member comprising a front panel and a rear panel, said front and rear panels each being unitary and substantially similar to each other, a gusset joining a portion of the defining edges of said panels together whereby the mitten-like member is formed being closed at one end and at its lateral sides and being open at the opposite end for the reception of the head of the golf club, said gusset being of maximum width adjacent its. central portion and converging in width toward opposite ends and traversing a line from a portion intermediate the length of the member at one side thereof over the closed end of the member to an intermediate portion of the member at the opposite side thereof, said central portion being disposed adjacent the closed end of the member, the central portion of said gusset being offset laterally from the end portions thereof whereby the closed end of the mitten-like member is ofiset from the open end thereof to approximately conform to the offset relationship of the club head of the golf club relative to the shaft of the club when the member embraces the club head.

'2. covert-for the head of a golf club which comprises a mitten-like member constructed of flexible material, said member comprising a front panel and a rear panel, said front and rear panels each being unitary and substantially similar to each other, a' gnsset joining a 7 portion of the defining-edges of said panels together v vhereby the mitten-like member is formed being closed at one end and atits lateral sides and being open at the opposite end for the reception of the head of the goli club, said gnsset'being of maximum Width adjacent its central portion and converging in width along two oppositely'extending legs andtra versing a line from a portion intermediate the length of the member at one side thereof over the closed end of the member to an intermediate portion of the member at the opposite side thereof, said central portion being disposed adjacent the closed end of-the member, the central portion of said gusset being offset laterally from intermediate portions of each leg and from the end portions-of said legs whereby-the closed end of the mitten-like member is offset from the 7 open end thereof to approximately conform to the offset relationship of the club head of the golf club relative to the shaft of the club when the member embraces the club head.

ie ene s C ted in the le not migrate Damaske Apr. 27, 1954 

